Ark. Army National Guard gets new commander

Nov. 3, 2013 - 02:53PM
|

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — The Arkansas Army National Guard has a new commander.

Brig. Gen. Patricia Anslow was formally installed as commander during a ceremony Saturday at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock. She replaces Brig. Gen. Roger McClellan — who is retiring.

Anslow is a 46-year-old native of New York and a 1989 graduate of West Point. She told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that she didn’t expect to remain in the military after completing her five-year commitment after graduation, but then “kind of fell in love “ with the Army.

The Arkansas Army National Guard was established in 1804 and has about 7,500 soldiers.

The Guard will promote Col. Kirk Van Pelt to fill the vacant general position.